I like this board a lot, even though I am new to it. I have owned a 2002 BMW M5 for 3 years and loved the www.m5board.com, same format, same great group of folks, etc. So, I love my M5. Best car I have ever had. But, living in Houston, the streets are pretty tough. So, I look around for a month and find a vehicle that seems like it could satisfy my car needs, speed needs, suv needs, etc...the GC SRT-8. I have a black one picked out at the local dealer, $1000 below invoice, fully loaded with AY1 and AY2, Sirius TV, etc. So I have driven it 2 times. Fast, for sure. Comfortable, for sure. Bad gas mileage, I am used to it with 12 mpg or so in my M5. But, and this is where I need help, I am conflicted because I heard a squeak on the test drive (perhaps it was because the =rear seats were down), and the driver door looked a bit off on alignment compared to the passenger door. I know we are all enthusiasts, so these little things can drive us nuts -- but will I love the car? It took me a month before I truly appreciated my M5, so I know I can't know the SRT-8 on 2 test drives for 1/2 hour. Please give any honest feedback on overall satisfaction. Thanks.

MAS

I like this board a lot, even though I am new to it. I have owned a 2002 BMW M5 for 3 years and loved the www.m5board.com, same format, same great group of folks, etc. So, I love my M5. Best car I have ever had. But, living in Houston, the streets are pretty tough. So, I look around for a month and find a vehicle that seems like it could satisfy my car needs, speed needs, suv needs, etc...the GC SRT-8. I have a black one picked out at the local dealer, $1000 below invoice, fully loaded with AY1 and AY2, Sirius TV, etc. So I have driven it 2 times. Fast, for sure. Comfortable, for sure. Bad gas mileage, I am used to it with 12 mpg or so in my M5. But, and this is where I need help, I am conflicted because I heard a squeak on the test drive (perhaps it was because the =rear seats were down), and the driver door looked a bit off on alignment compared to the passenger door. I know we are all enthusiasts, so these little things can drive us nuts -- but will I love the car? It took me a month before I truly appreciated my M5, so I know I can't know the SRT-8 on 2 test drives for 1/2 hour. Please give any honest feedback on overall satisfaction. Thanks.

MAS

You will no doubt love the car. However, imperfections is another story. The paint sucks on these and the panel fit isn't exactly up to par. At least with me it isn't. However, that may have been the brake squeal you heard and most of us have that as well.

Alot of bang for the buck though. It sounds like you are getting a killer deal. 1000 under invoice.:eek:

Any pics of the M5

Drive another one....the sqeeks sometimes do not go away...and will drive you nuts if you mention it here. Did you drive it over rough roads? Check out all door and panel alignments....check paint, everywhere. Check for torn interior fabric, cuts on the dash and plastic, wheels for chips, front of headliner, and make sure all controls work. Personally, I would not buy that one....but, thats just me.

Thanks for the replies so far. Very helpful.

Thanks for the replies so far. Very helpful.

I love mine and would only trade it for a CLS Benzo or S550 (AMG's):rolleyes:

Re: Squeak - ask the dealer to replace the spring - it's a known (minor) issue on the rear passenger seat:

"Rear end noise while driving (TSB#02-005-05 -or- 02-003-07); Cause: TSB 02301191 Isolater / Upper Springs Replace 2 N/C W2 52089341AE Insulator N/C"

I had an M5. Awesome ROAD RALLY Cars! But, the SRT is such a formidable and powerful vehicle - you will LOVE it!

I'm an E39 graduate. Ours was no M5, but it might have been a bit rarer... a 528it (wagon) with a 5-speed. Though it had less than 1/2 the horsepower of your M5, it was still a delicious piece of machinary.

It was great in it's day, and still very good with 145,000 miles on it... it turned 120k @ 120 mph. But Daimler-Chrysler spent some serious money on the Grand Cherokee platform & the SRT goodies will look an M right in the eye.

I loved our Bimmer, but I don't miss it. I'd get another someday (a 535xit with the Dinan bump!), but I'm enjoying every minute of the Jeep. And the only noises I ever hear come from the 6.1 or the kids in back!

I am in Houston, and I came from a Jaguar S-type R, so a similar (albeit not identical) transition.

The SRT will squeak and rattle more than your BMW or my Jaguar, especially on Houston area roads. And as someone else has pointed out, the paint sucks. And if you've looked through some of the posts here, you'll see that the mygig entertainment/nav system on the '08s "has character", to put it euphemistically.

With all that said, I am enjoying my SRT. Owning it puts you in a pretty exclusive community of true enthusiasts. Sure the S-type R was an enthusiast's car too, but many of them are owned by rich old farts who don't know any better. Not too many rich old farts in the SRT ownership ranks, unless they also are true enthusiasts, in which case their farthood doesn't matter...

Not too many rich old farts in the SRT ownership ranks, unless they also are true enthusiasts, in which case their farthood doesn't matter...

Thats TFF.

Any pics of the M5
agreed

I eventually want to sell my 850 for an '03 E39 M5.

agreed

I eventually want to sell my 850 for an '03 E39 M5.

Good choice. You can pick them up relatively cheap too.

The SRT8 is all about cheap speed.... if you wanna go fast for very little cash, get it. If you want to feel like you're surrounded in quality and luxuary, get a new M5 for twice the cash or more.

Good choice. You can pick them up relatively cheap too.
I think they're going for roughly ~30k these days.....maybe less.

Blue with blue/black leather interior = win!

fantastic... i still dont feel like there should ever be any excuse for any brake squeaks.. its bs.. my brakes on my srt8 made noise the minute i drove it off the dealer lot.. funny b/c they didnt squeak on both test drives..! they probably sprayed some sheeet on them to prevent them from making noise for a little.. had her for a week and shes back to the dealer.. i called them that day and told them please finish what you never even started or examined.. they told me they will take care of it at no expense.. im sure there are problems to come... im waiting for a phone call today to find out what they are going to do... when they got it as a trade in im sure they lowered their offer b/c of this noise... if the truck wasnt so hot i would have had the patience to find a private sale.. .but i couldnt help it.. once i drove her i neeeeeeded to have her

I test drove an was in love....now im even more in love. Whenever I am bored or its a nice day out i just go driving...

I had an E39 M5 in 2001, hated it so much I sold it for an RS6 within 3 weeks.

The SRT is definitley the correct choice for you.

... But, living in Houston, the streets are pretty tough...

this truck has a harsh ride, if the m5 was breaking your balls i don't think you'll be much happier w/ the jeep

Got the SRT8 2 weeks ago. Love it. Still have the M5 and am finding it hard to part with her. Brakes started squealing at 400 miles on the Jeep. It's OK as I rarely use them anyway.

Got the SRT8 2 weeks ago. Love it. Still have the M5 and am finding it hard to part with her. Brakes started squealing at 400 miles on the Jeep. It's OK as I rarely use them anyway.

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i hate my jeep as days go by. Pieces of **** if you ask me. Brake squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!!!!!!!! like no tomorrow, rear squeak and rattle noises, viscious vibration that cant be fixed after three stealer visits. At idle my 6.1 sounds like everything inside is flopping around. I probably have a knock, who knows. The truck like dies if i make a hard right turn and floor it, and the ride keeps getting worse and worse. Sure its rough and stiff when i first bought it but now its unbelievable. Horribly built trucks IMHO. The only good thing is how relatively quick it is. Its not fast, atleast not in the altitude i live at. Customer service blows too, everybody at chrysler is a retard that cant speak english for the most part. You will like it for a little while, but you will get sick of it believe me. Ive only had mine since june 07. Daily drive it about 150kms a day winter snow rain what ever. THEY ARE NOT THAT GREAT PERIOD>

shouldnt be a problem here in sunny side CALIFOrnia

My 08 has 8000 miles, has not been to the dealer for anything

The only prop I have is a rattle in the rear resonator (exhaust)

Brakes work beautifully, halls the beast down to a stop like a sports car (not a squeak from them)

Its fun to school guys driving sports cars as to how bad a$$ this thing is :D

i hate my jeep as days go by. Piece of **** if you ask me. Brake squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!!!!!!!! like no tomorrow, rear squeak and rattle noises, viscious vibration that cant be fixed after three stealer visits. At idle my 6.1 sounds like everything inside is flopping around. I probably have a knock, who knows. The truck like dies if i make a hard right turn and floor it, and the ride keeps getting worse and worse. Sure its rough and stiff when i first bought it but now its unbelievable. Horribly built truck IMHO. The only good thing is how relatively quick it is. Its not fast, atleast not in the altitude i live at. Customer service blows too, everybody at chrysler is a retard that cant speak english for the most part. I liked it for a little while, but I got sick of it believe me. Ive only had mine since june 07. Daily drive it about 150kms a day winter snow rain what ever. MINE IS NOT THAT GREAT PERIOD>

There. I edited it so that you aren't throwing around generalities and stereotypes. :)